Although school and the Legislature broke for the summer, debate and discussion over our children’s education has not ceased. During the legislative session, we voted that a comprehensive review of the New York State education system must be conducted by the State Education Department (SED) Commissioner. My Minority colleagues and I wrote a letter to SED Commissioner MaryEllen Elia encouraging her during the process to review and adopt the education system reforms we developed from input from 14 different public hearings held statewide on public education. We asserted that these changes would improve education for our children and reform the areas that are most troubling to the public.

At those meetings, one of which I hosted, we listened to testimony from educators, administrators, parents and students. We discussed the impact of high-stakes testing, curriculum and what kind of support is needed for our students and teachers. The report we issued, which can be found at http://tinyurl.com/EducationalCrossroads, focused on these issues as well as funding, student anxiety, special education and data collection.

We highlighted a few areas for Commissioner Elia, all focused on student success. Over and over again we hear from parents and teachers who question the age and developmental appropriateness of our education standards and curriculum. I urge Elia to fully investigate the curriculum with the input of experts in early childhood education and early childhood development. We want to make sure that standards remain high, but appropriate to what a child is mature enough to handle.

We also encouraged Elia to conduct a study on the impact of a child’s familial and socio-economic background as it relates to success in school. Let’s face it, families are working more to make ends meet, and some children do not receive sufficient help with test preparation and homework completion. These children should not fall behind because of this. Are there tactics and tools educators can adopt to ensure that these children thrive? I have always held the belief that education is the ladder out of poverty, and we must make sure these kids have the opportunity for a more prosperous future.

Finally, I am deeply concerned about what is being done to help children with developmental disabilities succeed in school. I know our teachers are doing their best; however, not all children fit the Common Core mold. All children are gifted with unique talents and abilities. Their Individualized Educational Plans must take precedence over any standards that the state or federal government may come up with. We must make sure these children are challenged in a way that will help them thrive as adults, rather than distracting them with ‘standards’ that will not aid in this endeavor.

SED has faced many problems because it has failed to listen and reach out to those who have a stake in public education – educators, parents and students. But this is a new day; Elia is a new commissioner, and I encourage her to be open and listen to the people. We all ultimately have a say in this. I encourage you to write the commissioner with your own thoughts. She may be reached at the following address: Ms. MaryEllen Elia, Commissioner of the State Education Department, New York State Education Building, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12234.

I always welcome your ideas on this or any other legislative topic. Please contact me by email at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us or by phone at 493-3909.